MUMBAI: The music company Warner Music Group inks a deal with a global Internet calling company Skype to make available the master recordings from WMG's roster of world-renowned recording artists as ringtones.
With this deal, more than 74 million registered users of Skype will benefit from unlimited voice and video calls for free over the Internet.
According to an official release, in the coming months, consumers will be able to download master ringtones from WMG artists to Skype's leading Internet calling service for playback when Skype users receive incoming calls.
Always at the forefront of musical trends, Madonna will be the sole artist to headline the Featured Artist section of the Skype online retail store upon its launch. 
In addition, Skype's online retail store (http://personal.skype.com) will feature master ringtones of 'Hung Up', 'Push' and 'Sorry', the eagerly anticipated new single from Madonna's latest multi-platinum album, 'Confessions on a Dance Floor', as well as past Madonna hits 'Like A Virgin', 'Vogue' and more.
Skype's Featured Artist Program will showcase content from a single artist and will include a direct link to an artist-branded page where ringtones can be purchased.
"Warner Music Group is pleased to partner with Skype as they launch the first music personalization products in the Internet voice calling category," said Warner Music Group digital strategy and business development executive VP Alex Zubillaga. "Furthermore, this agreement exemplifies our commitment to finding new ways our artists' music can be experienced across emerging platforms and distribution channels."
"As Skype continues to grow as a mass market phenomena we are excited to partner with industry leaders in the entertainment industry like Warner Music, to offer great content from artists, such as Madonna, to Skype's fast growing global user base," said Skype VP worldwide marketing Saul Klein.
The Skype retail store is expected to eventually expand to include ringback tones and other music-based personalisation content from WMG artists.